NOVEMBER 1917 – 19 NOVEMBER 1918
IX. QUESTIONS OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND CULTURE
1918
ON THE TASKS OF THE PUBLIC LIBRARY 
IN PETROGRAD
[November 1917]

In order to participate intelligently, meaningfully, and successfully in the revolution, one must study.

Library work in Petrograd has been placed—owing to long years of warfare by tsarism against popular enlightenment—in a deplorable state.

Immediate and unconditional measures are necessary for the following fundamental transformations, based on principles long since realized in the free states of the West, especially in Switzerland and the United States of America.

1) The Public Library (formerly the Imperial) must immediately enter into an exchange of books with all public and state libraries in Petrograd and the provinces, as well as with foreign and other libraries (of Finland, Sweden, and so forth).

2) The transmission of books from one library to another must be declared, by law, to be free of charge.

3) The reading room of the library must be opened, as is done in cultured countries in private libraries and reading rooms for wealthy people, daily, without exception on holidays and Sundays, from 8 o'clock in the morning until 11 o'clock at night.

4) The necessary number of staff must be immediately transferred to the Public Library from the departments of the Ministry of Enlightenment, with an expansion of women's labor and in view of the military demand for men, in which departments on 11/10 are engaged not only in useless but in harmful labor.

TELEGRAM TO A. V. LUNACHARSKY

[At the top of the document, apparently later in Lenin's pencil: "Library." Ed.]

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TELEGRAM TO A. V. LUNACHARSKY
Petrograd
Smolny
To the People's Commissar of Enlightenment
Lunacharsky.
13 May 1918

I am astonished and outraged by the inactivity of yourself and Malinovsky in the matter of preparing good quotations and inscriptions on the public buildings of Petersburg and Moscow.

Nikolai Rosenfeld asks permission to give him a commission to paint certain public buildings. Give your opinion.

Lenin.

On 12 April 1918 the SNK approved a decree submitted by A. V. Lunacharsky, "On the Removal of Monuments Erected in Honor of Tsars and Their Servants, and the Development of Projects for Monuments to the Russian Socialist Revolution." The decree provided for a commission of people's commissars—of Enlightenment, State Property of the Republic, and the head of the Department of the Fine Arts under the People's Commissariat of Enlightenment. This commission was instructed "in agreement with the artistic collegium of Moscow and Petrograd to determine which monuments are subject to removal" and "on the day of 1 May to exhibit the first models of new monuments for the judgment of the masses." The commission was also instructed to take up the question of preparing "the replacement of inscriptions, emblems, street names, coats of arms, and so forth with new ones." The decree was published 14 April in the "Izvestiia VTsIK" No. 74 ("Sobr. Uz. i Rasp." No. 31, of 15 [2] April 1918). The decree was not carried out.

P. P. Malinovsky was at that time the people's commissar of State Property of the Republic.

N. Rosenfeld was an artist.

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ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE SOCIALIST ACADEMY
25 May – 7 June 1918

DRAFT RESOLUTION OF THE SNK
25 May 1918

The SNK, fully approving and welcoming the idea underlying the draft for the establishment of the Socialist Academy, entrusts the Collegium of the Commissariat of the People's Enlightenment with reworking this project for the Socialist Academy on the following foundations:

1) Place at the cornerstone a publishing society of Marxist orientation;

2) Attract in especially large numbers foreign Marxist forces;

3) Make one of the first-order tasks a series of social investigations;

4) Immediately take measures to clarify, collect, and utilize Russian teaching forces.

The resolution was written by Lenin, apparently at a meeting of the SNK and adopted by the SNK in connection with a report by M. N. Pokrovsky on the Socialist Academy, 25 May 1918 (Protocol of the SNK No. 125, item 4, arch. IMEL No. 11540).

On the organization of the Socialist Academy of Social Sciences (now Communist), see "Vestnik Sotsialisticheskoi Akademii" book XXVIII (4), published by the Communist Academy, 1928—"10 Years of the Communist Academy." Speech by M. N. Pokrovsky.

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ON THE ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARY WORK

DIRECTIVES OF THE COMMISSION
[7 June 1918]

Entrust the Commission with:

1) Examining in detail the Charter of the Socialist Academy of Social Sciences for submission to the SNK and subsequently to the TsIK.

2) Immediately enter into an exchange of opinion on this question, as well as on the question of composition, with non-Russian and foreign Marxists.

3) Draw up and discuss a list of candidates suitable and willing to be founding members as well as instructors, for submission of this list to the SNK and TsIK.

The SNK, examining on 7 June 1918 the Statute on the Socialist Academy of Social Sciences, submitted by M. N. Pokrovsky and M. A. Reisner, and having approved this statute in principle, appointed a commission (from the SNK P. I. Stuchka and V. P. Nogin participated) for detailed working out of the Academy's Charter. For this commission Lenin drew up the directives presented here and passed them by a protocol resolution (see protocol of the SNK No. 134, item 2, arch. IMEL No. 11577). At the same time Lenin proposed the adoption of a resolution concerning library work (see below).

In "Izvestiia VTsIK" No. 169 of 9 August 1918 lists of actual members of the Academy and instructors approved by the VTsIK were published.

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ON THE ORGANIZATION OF LIBRARY WORK
RESOLUTION OF THE SNK
7 June 1918

The SNK draws the attention of the Commissariat of the People's Enlightenment to the insufficiency of its efforts regarding the proper organization of library work in Russia and entrusts the Commissariat to immediately take the most energetic measures, firstly, for the centralization of library work in Russia, and secondly, for the introduction of the Swiss-American system.

The Commissariat of the People's Enlightenment is proposed to report to the SNK twice a month on what has been practically accomplished by it in this area.

Throughout 1918–1919 Lenin repeatedly drew the SNK's attention to the question of organizing library work on a new basis. On 26 April 1918 the SNK heard a report on the organization of central management of archives and libraries and created a commission "for the working out of a detailed project for organizing archives, and in particular a project for the reorganization of all library work according to the Swiss-American system" (Protocol No. 101, item 5, arch. IMEL No. 11399). The work of the commission proceeded at too slow a pace. On 7 June 1918, during discussion in the SNK of the "Statute on the Socialist Academy of Sciences" (see p. 207 of the Sbornik), Lenin sketched the resolution presented here, which the SNK adopted (Protocol of the SNK No. 134, item 2, arch. IMEL No. 11577). The first part of the resolution was published in "Izvestiia VTsIK" No. 11 of 17 January 1919.

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LETTER TO THE COMMISSARIAT OF ENLIGHTENMENT AND THE COMMISSARIAT 
OF STATE PROPERTY OF THE REPUBLIC
To the Commissariats
of the People's Enlightenment
and State Property of the Republic.
[Before 8 July 1918]

I propose that you present immediately information on exactly what has been done to fulfill the decree of 13.IV.1918, especially regarding 1) the removal of old monuments, 2) their replacement, even if only temporarily, with new ones, and 3) the replacement of old inscriptions on public buildings with new ones (§5 of the decree).

A two-month delay in the execution of the decree—which is equally important both from the point of view of propaganda and from the point of view of employing the unemployed—is unforgivable.

Chairman of the SNK.

The text speaks of a "two-month delay" in relation to the decree "On the Removal of Monuments Erected in Honor of Tsars and Their Servants, and the Development of Projects for Monuments to the Russian Socialist Revolution," adopted in April; consequently, the letter was written in July, before the 8th, since Lenin dates the decree imprecisely in the letter. (On the date, see p. 205 of the Sbornik, note 1), at a time when on 8 July (see the next document, p. 209) he already knew the exact date and No. of the "Sobr. Uz. i Rasp." in which the decree was published.

§5 of the decree: "The same commission is entrusted to hurry to prepare the decoration of the city on the day of 1 May and the replacement of inscriptions, emblems, street names, coats of arms, and so forth with new ones, reflecting the ideas and feelings of revolutionary, laboring Russia."

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ON THE INACTIVITY OF THE COMMISSARIAT OF ENLIGHTENMENT, THE COMMISSARIAT 
OF STATE PROPERTY OF THE REPUBLIC, AND THE MOSCOW SOVIET
DRAFT RESOLUTION OF THE SNK
[8 July 1918]

The Council of People's Commissars draws to the attention of the Commissariats of the People's Enlightenment and State Property, as well as the Presidium of the Moscow City Soviet of Workers' and Soldiers' Deputies, their completely inadmissible inactivity in carrying out the decree of 14.IV.1918 (No. 416 of the Sobr[anie] Uz[akonenii], No. 31) and orders them tomorrow, 9.VII.1918 to choose, by agreement, one responsible person for energetic supervision of the execution of the decree and its immediate carrying out, with the obligation to report twice a week on this to the Chairman of the SNK.

The resolution was adopted at a meeting of the SNK on 8 July 1918.

No. 416 designates the article under which the decree is placed in No. 31 of the "Sobr. Uz. i Rasp."

The resolution was adopted in connection with Lenin's inquiry "to comrade Lunacharsky and comrade Malinovsky concerning the reasons for their non-fulfillment of the SNK's resolution expressed in the decree: 'On the Removal of Monuments Erected in Honor of Tsars and Their Servants, and the Development of Projects for Monuments to the Russian Socialist Revolution'" (Protocol of the SNK No. 153, item 4, arch. IMEL No. 11665).

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EXCHANGE OF NOTES WITH A. V. LUNACHARSKY
12 JULY 1918

I.
LENIN'S NOTE

I spoke today with Vinogradov. He made a good impression.

He promised to come to an agreement with you.

Have you spoken with him?

Did you come to an agreement?

If not, what is the difficulty?

Lenin.

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II.
LUNACHARSKY'S REPLY

Haven't yet spoken with Vinogradov. If it's true that we come to an agreement, then that's good.

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III.
LENIN'S QUESTION

When are you leaving?

What day and hour?

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IV.
LUNACHARSKY'S REPLY

Tomorrow at 12 midnight.

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V.
LENIN'S QUESTION

Can you call Vinogradov and set up a meeting for tomorrow?

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VI.
LUNACHARSKY'S REPLY

Of course.

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VII.
LENIN'S QUESTION

Do you have his number?

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VIII.
LUNACHARSKY'S REPLY

I'll find out from Malinovsky.

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IX.
LENIN'S NOTE TO HIS SECRETARY

Call Vinogradov on my behalf:

why hasn't he come to an agreement with Lunacharsky?

Lunacharsky is here.

The correspondence is preserved in the protocol of the SNK of 12 July 1918 (Protocol No. 155, arch. IMEL No. 11677).

N. D. Vinogradov was secretary of the commission on the removal of monuments.

A. V. Lunacharsky was supposed to return to Petrograd, where he headed the People's Commissariat of Enlightenment of the Northern Region.

The note to the secretary was written on one of the sheets of correspondence with Lunacharsky; later the note was crossed out by Lenin. Ed.

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ON ADMISSION TO THE HIGHER EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS OF THE RSFSR
DRAFT RESOLUTION OF THE SNK
[2 August 1918]

The SNK entrusts the Commissariat of the People's Enlightenment to immediately prepare a series of resolutions and measures in order that, in the event that the number of those wishing to enter higher educational institutions exceeds the usual number of vacancies, the most extraordinary measures be taken, ensuring the possibility of study for all who wish it and so that there be no privileges, whether legal or practical, for the propertied classes. In the first place unconditionally must be admitted persons from among the proletariat and the poorest peasantry, to whom broad scholarships will be provided.

The resolution was adopted by the SNK on 2 August 1918 (Protocol of the SNK, No. 170, arch. IMEL No. 11770) in connection with the adoption of the decree on the rules of admission to higher educational institutions of the RSFSR, which opened higher school to all who wished it, who had reached the age of 16, which abolished the requirement of certificates at admission, competitive examinations, as well as payment for instruction (see "Sobr. Uz. i Rasp." No. 57, 7 August 1918).

The Secretary of the SNK N. P. Gorbunovym made a note on the manuscript, apparently at Lenin's suggestion: "Publish alongside the decree on the rules of admission to higher educational institutions." The decree and resolution were published in "Izvestiia VTsIK" No. 166 of 6 August 1918.

The SNK, upon adopting this decree and resolution, proposed to M. N. Pokrovsky to "publish in the newspapers the report made by him today to the SNK on the methods currently practiced for the admission of students to educational institutions." In "Narodnoe Prosveshchenie"—the weekly supplement to "Izvestiia VTsIK" No. 12 (see "Izvestiia VTsIK" No. 170 of 10 August)—an article was published "On the Latest Decree on Conditions of Admission to Higher School."

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OUTLINE OF SPEECH AT THE I ALL-RUSSIAN CONGRESS ON ENLIGHTENMENT
[27–28 August 1918]

1. One of the most critical moments in the growth of the world r[evolution].

2. War has exhausted and——— enriched... etc. etc.

3. Russia as an example... { Constitution }
{ land }
{ Factories }

4. The capital (in Russia) has no internal forces... outside... Germany, England + France

5. They strain (England + France) the taut strings to the breaking point
{ Austria and Italy—capitulate }
{ Germany—mass strikes, troops desert, mutinies of soldiers }
{ France—demonstrations against intervention! }
{ England—rupture of civic peace }

6. We are fighting not only for the victory of socialism in Russia, but in the entire world.

7. And in this struggle the most important significance is possessed by popular education...

8. = part of this struggle

9. Education of the people in capitalist society:
{ a respectable servant }
{ an industrious serf }
{ an obliging clerk }

10. Under socialism: ... so that those whom capitalism cast down into the ranks of the oppressed, beaten, ignorant, would themselves manage all industry, all production...

Lenin spoke at the I All-Russian Congress on Enlightenment on 28 August 1918 (see Lenin, Works, vol. XXIII, pp. 197–199). Lenin apparently outlined his speech the day before, or possibly on the day of the speech itself.

11. Class struggle: sabotage... they use the force of knowledge as a monopoly of the wealthy against the laboring classes.

This sabotage has already been broken (in its main part).

12. "To go to the people".... "Union of science and the working class"...

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TELEGRAM TO A. V. LUNACHARSKY
Petrograd.
To the Commissar Lunacharsky.
Copy: Moscow, Ostozhenka 53, to Pokrovsky.
18 IX 1918

Today I heard Vinogradov's report on busts and monuments, and I am outraged to my soul; for months nothing is being done; to this day not a single bust has been produced, the disappearance of Radishchev's bust is a comedy. There is no bust of Marx for the street, nothing has been done for propaganda by means of inscriptions on streets. I declare a reprimand for criminal and negligent conduct, I demand that you send me the names of all responsible persons for bringing them to trial. Shame on saboteurs and imbeciles.

Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars Lenin.

On 17 July the SNK, after discussion of M. N. Pokrovsky's report "On the Establishment in Moscow of 50 Monuments in the Fields of Revolutionary and Public Activity, in the Fields of Philosophy, Literature and Art," obliged the People's Commissariat of Enlightenment "within five days to present to the SNK for approval lists of persons to whom it is proposed to erect monuments," and at the same time the following resolution was adopted: "Draw the attention of the People's Commissariat of Enlightenment to the desirability of hastily carrying out the SNK's resolution on the decoration of streets, public buildings, and so forth with inscriptions and quotations" (Protocol of the SNK No. 158, item 3, arch. IMEL No. 11701). On 30 July the SNK approved the list of monuments, and the People's Commissariat of Enlightenment was entrusted "to enter into agreement with the Presidium of the Moscow Soviet and immediately begin carrying out the erection of monuments. In case of any delay, bring the question before the SNK" (Protocol of the SNK No. 108, item 8, arch. IMEL No. 11761).

A. N. Radishchev (1749–1802) was a writer. In his work "A Journey from Petersburg to Moscow" he was one of the first to make a sharp protest against serfdom. He was exiled to Siberia for 10 years. When, upon Radishchev's return from Siberia, a threat of new exile hung over him, he became mentally ill and soon took his own life. On 22 September 1918 in Petrograd at the Winter Palace a monument to A. N. Radishchev by the sculptor Sherwood was unveiled.

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LETTER TO THE PRESIDIUM OF THE MOSCOW SOVIET
To the Presidium of the Moscow Soviet of
Workers' and Red Army Deputies.
12 October 1918

Dear comrades! I received your paper No. 24962 with an excerpt from the resolution of the Presidium of 7.X.

I am compelled in all conscience to say that this resolution is so politically illiterate and so stupid that it causes nausea... "The Presidium is forced to remove responsibility from itself".... That is how capricious young ladies behave, not adult politicians. You will not remove responsibility from yourselves, but rather triple it.

If the Commissariat of the People's Enlightenment does not answer to you and does not fulfill its duty toward you, then you are obliged to lodge complaints with documents. You are not children, after all, so as not to understand this.

When did you lodge complaints? Where is the copy? Where are the documents and evidence?

And in my opinion, the entire Presidium and Vinogradov ought to be jailed for a week for inactivity.

If the Commissariat of the People's Enlightenment "does not issue busts" (when did you demand them? from whom? copy and document? when did you appeal?), then you should have fought for your right. But "removing responsibility from yourselves"—this is the manner of capricious young ladies and silly Russian intellectuals.

*On the letter is marked: "Heard in the Presidium on 14 October." Ed.